Chapter 92: Tension
Her silver hair was cut short, framing a face that could have been beautiful if not for the stark, jagged scar that trailed across the left side. Starting just above her eyebrow, it carved a path down to the middle of her cheek, its presence a harsh contrast to her otherwise pale, smooth skin. Her eyes, bright and piercing blue, reflected the shimmer of fires like enchanted crystals.
Yet, it wasn’t the scar or her strange attire that captured Lorelai’s attention the most. It was the black fabric mask that obscured the lower half of her face. The material clung snugly to her nose and flowed down to cover her mouth and chin, attached securely behind her ears. The mask gave her an air of secrecy, a shadowy mystique that seemed almost out of place even in this already strange gathering.
As if sensing the weight of Lorelai’s gaze, the woman’s eyes flicked toward her. For a brief moment, their gazes locked—blue meeting green. Something unspoken passed between them, though Lorelai couldn’t quite place what it was.
The woman’s body stiffened subtly, her posture growing rigid. Her brows knit together in what could only be described as a worried expression. It wasn’t fear, but it was far from the indifference Lorelai might have expected from someone traveling with Rhaegar.
Who is she?
Before Rhaegar could reach Lorelai, another figure emerged to intercept him. Prince Kai, who had been tightening the saddle on his horse, straightened and moved deliberately into the lycan king’s path.
Kai was the first to break the silence.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said, his tone as smooth as silk but carrying an edge of condescension. "A rather gloomy day for a hunting trip, wouldn’t you agree?"
Rhaegar’s sharp amber gaze didn’t waver. He barely acknowledged Kai’s words with a curt nod, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Lorelai. His piercing glare seemed to strip away any pretense, leaving the princess feeling exposed and uneasy under its weight.
Queen Althea, too, seized the opportunity to intervene.
She called for her attendants to tend to her hawk, discarding her dirty gloves carelessly onto the ground. With a measured stride, she approached Rhaegar, her thin red lips curling into a practiced smile that never quite reached her dark brown eyes.